Site for second Molonglo high school confirmed

The Education directorate confirmed on Thursday that the next Molonglo high school will be built on a 6.4 hectare parcel in Whitlam, off the future Coppins Crossing extension. This announcement provides much-needed regional certainty for one of the most rapidly growing residential corridors in the Australian Capital Territory.

The expansive site has been designed to house up to 1,200 students, ensuring it can accommodate the influx of young families moving into the newer suburbs of the Molonglo Valley. In addition to the secondary school facilities, the project includes plans for a co-located early childhood centre, creating a comprehensive educational hub for local residents.

The timeline for the project is now firmly established, with construction tenders set to go to market early next year. If the development stays on schedule, the gates are expected to open to the first intake of students at the beginning of the 2027 academic year.

Local impact and relief

Current Molonglo families are currently zoned to Mount Stromlo High School, which has been feeling the strain of the region’s population boom. Recent figures suggest the school is already operating at 110 per cent of its design capacity, making this second high school a critical piece of infrastructure for the district.

The choice of Whitlam as the location is strategic, placing the campus near the future extension of Coppins Crossing. This positioning will offer clear access for residents of both established and coming suburbs within the valley as the local road network continues to expand.

Community consultation

While the site has been secured, the specific details regarding how the school will function are still being finalised. Catchment consultation is scheduled to begin this August, giving parents and carers the opportunity to have their say on how the new boundaries will be drawn.

This consultation phase is a vital step for families currently living in the Molonglo Valley who are planning for their children's transition to secondary education over the next three years. It will help clarify which residential areas will fall into the new school's direct intake zone.

Part of a broader plan

The Whitlam build is the first of three new ACT high schools funded under the territory's current schools program. This broader investment highlights the government’s focus on keeping pace with the territory's record-breaking suburban growth, particularly in the outer northern and western regions.

Once complete, the school will offer state-of-the-art facilities typical of the ACT's recent public school projects. For families in the Molonglo region, the 2027 opening represents a long-awaited shift toward local schooling options that reduce the daily travel burden on students and parents alike.